Automobile-chain.



H. KNOX.

AUTOMOBILE CHAIN.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 1. |911.

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ATTORNEY II INVENTOR II I II I I I I tenacia.

RALPH Knox, or NEW BLooMrIELD, MrssoUnr.

ATOMOBILECHAIN.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 5, 11918..

Applicationled March 7, 1917. Serial No. 153,076.

To all whom t may concern.'

Beit known that I, RALPH KNOX, a citi' i automobile construction in which the anti-skid elements or chain sections are arranged in triangular relation with reference to the tread, there being a plurality of these triangularly arranged sections around the periphery of the tire.

Another object of the invention is to connect these anti-skid elements to each other and to the side members or chains by means of links of such construction that crawling or slipping of the same relatively to each other will be revented;

Another obJect of the invention is to provide a special construction of side members or chains which will not easily rust, break, or become interlinked or entangled when not in use.

Another object of the invention is to iniprove the general construction of devices et' this nature whereby side slipping will 'be prevented and greater gripplngl power 0btained; v

Another object of the invention is to provide a construction which can be placed easily and quickly in position on the tire and will be securely held thereon when in use. t,

ln the accompanying drawing I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention in which:

Figure 1 is aside elevation of an-automobile wheel illustrating the application of the invention thereto.

Fig. 2 is la cross sectional view on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a sectioxiof my chain. A

rllhe form of chain here illustrated is shown applied to a wheel of standard construction a hubl and a rim or felly 2 cons` having f necteol to the hub by means of radialspokes 3. To the rim or felly is attached the usual pneumatic tire 4. f

My device comprises side menbers or chains 5 arranged on opposite sides of the wheel adjacent to the rim and Iextending l parallel wit-h'the same. Each of the side .chains comprlses `a plurality of straight plain rods 6 which are connected to each other by means of triangular links 7 The ends of each rod 6 are provided with suitable eyes 6a which engage corners of the triangular links to which they are connected wherebyfthe rod is held securely in place against slipping. The vside chains, on account of the comparative length of `the rods, do not easily become entangled or interlinked. Furthermore, the rods do not carry mud, as link chains do, and the result is,

that they do not rust as easily and are more lasting and durable. One free end of each side member is provided with a chain 8, while the opposite free end thereof has a snap hook 9 constituting a fastening device adapted to adjustably engage the various links of the chain 8, whereby the side members can be adj ustably tightened to cause the anti-skid elements to closely engage the tire. rlhe triangular links of the side chains or members are arranged in pairs on opposite sides of the wheel and in the same transversel vertical plane. Connecting the adjacent corners of each pair of triangular links is a chain section 10 extendingv transversely across the tread of the wheel and at right angles thereto.

Arranged between adjacent transversely extending chain sections 10 and the side members 5 are four diagonally extending chain sections 11 attached at their outer ends to the triangular links to which the adjacent sections 10 are connected and at their inner ends to a square link 12 located centrally between the transverse chain sections 10 and the'side members 5. The outer ends of the sections 11 engage the triangular links at the 'cornersv thereof to which the ends of the transverse sections 10 are connected and their inner ends engage the link 12 at its corners.

. number may be varied.

I have provided. chain fasteners or holders 13 each comprising a spring-steel, substan.

tially Ueshaped member embracing the inside 'of the felly, pivoted at one end 14 to the inner side of one of the triangular links and having at its opposite end a snap 15 adapted to detachably engage a side of the corresponding link at the opposite side of the wheel. In the present embodiment of the invention I have shown four of these holders, but it is tobe understood that the It is preferable however, in applying the holder to place it in front of and adjacent to a spoke, as shown in Fig. 1, the wheel rotating clockwise, looking at Fig. 1. Each holder 13 upon its inner side is' provided with a leather lining 16, which is interposed between it and the felly. The holders efectively prevent the creeping of the chain around the wheel and vimprove the gripping power thereof.

It will be `seen from the showing here made that I have provided a construction which will effectively prevent skidding of* l the automobile and v grip the ground. The chain 1s very easil applied and removed which will efficiently by releasing the holders and unfastening the snaps 9.

While I have shown and described one embodiment of my invention, it is to be understood that I do not desire to be limited to side securing `to diametrically opposed links between the points of connection of the rods therewith at one side and detachably engageable with companion links at the other side, and tread chains connected to the links.

2.' In an automobile chain, side securing elements, each comprising a plurality of rigid rods, and triangular shaped unbroken links loosely connected to the adjacent ends of the rods, and clamping members hinged to diametrically opposed links between the points of connection of the rods therewith at one side and detachably engageablc with companion links at the other side, tread chains connected to the links, and snap fasteners on each clamping member for the detachable engagement thereof.`

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have hereto aiiixed my signature 65 in the presence of two Witnesses.

RALPH KNOX. Witnesses:

BEssm BOYD, JOHN B. SoHoLL. 

